It didn’t happen in one big dramatic moment.
It was more like a slow build, the kind that sneaks up on you.
One morning I woke up and felt like I was walking through fog.
I was still doing all the things school lunches, work calls, washing, life but I felt completely disconnected from myself.
You ever have those days where you’re smiling on the outside but your insides feel heavy
That was me.
And for the longest time, I kept brushing it off.
I told myself I was just tired.
That it would pass.
That I just needed a weekend away, a good sleep, a better routine.
But underneath, I knew I wasn’t okay.
And I didn’t know how to admit that without feeling like I was failing.
We’re so good at showing up for everyone else.
The kids, the work, the house, the partner, the never-ending to-do list.
But when it comes to showing up for ourselves, it’s always last on the list.
I had been so busy being everything for everyone that I forgot how to just be me.
No titles. No roles. Just me.
It wasn’t until I hit that wall that I finally stopped trying to push through it.
I let myself fall apart a little.
And that’s when things started to shift.
I learned that sometimes healing looks like saying no.
Sometimes it looks like a slow morning.
Sometimes it looks like canceling plans and watching the ocean instead.
And that doesn’t make you weak.
It makes you honest.
You don’t have to hold it all together all the time.
You don’t have to earn your rest.
You don’t have to pretend to be fine when you’re not.
The world won’t stop spinning if you stop for a minute.
Since then, I’ve tried to build more softness into my days.
More breathing room.
More quiet moments between the chaos.
Because the truth is, being a mum, a business owner, a partner, a friend it’s a lot.
And some days you’ll feel strong and steady.
Other days you’ll feel like you’re barely hanging on.
Both are okay.
🩵 From one mum to another:
You don’t have to be okay all the time to still be doing a good job.
You’re allowed to crumble and rebuild.
You’re allowed to rest and still be worthy.
Ash x
Founder, Sand + Salt Kids
Clothes made for calm, chaos and everything in between.